Erin's day off

Aaron was grateful the doctor's office was closed today. He could lounge around without being gawked at by lusty doctors and horny patients. Aaron fixed him and Sarah breakfast. "Sarah put the files away for now."

"Mom, we need to figure this out and soon." Aaron sat at the table beside his daughter and closed the file slowly.

Aaron hugged his little girl, she was far too young to deal with all of this. "And we will, peanut." Sarah briefly smiled at the use of her childhood nickname her parents had given her. "You're a bright girl but you won't figure it out before lunch, so put away the files, for now, have some pancakes, and most of all, breathe. Okay?" Sarah nodded. Aaron or Erin, Sarah was his little girl. The girls ate their breakfast and Aaron steered the conversation to happier topics for Sarah and Aaron and after they watched Sarah's favorite series.

Despite himself, Aaron found he was being pulled in by the vampires and witches and romance of it all. Maybe it was the fact his little girl was laying against him like she used to when she was knee-high to a grasshopper. Whatever the reason, he made a note they would have to watch it together more often. By lunch, their binge session was interrupted by the doorbell.

When officer Luke saw Erin again in her tight yoga pants and pink top that just hugged her every curve. "Officer Luke? Is something wrong?"

"Oh, no my mother wanted me to deliver these cookies and to see how you were doing." Luke held up a Tupperware container of cookies and smiled his best smile at Aaron. "She and Betty are close friends."

Aaron begrudgingly took the cookies, "I'm doing fine. Still a little sore but my daughter's been helping me a lot."

Luke nodded, he couldn't imagine losing a spouse and trying to pick up the pieces. "I understand. If you ever need someone to lean on, I'm one phone call away."

"Thank you." Aaron was ready to close the door when Sarah jumped from the couch and grabbed the container of cookies excitedly.

"Oh my god! Are these fudge brownie cookies?!"

Luke laughed cheerfully, "They are indeed. There' my mother's own recipe."

"Well come in, come in," Sarah practically pushed Aaron away to allow Luke inside. "we can't let you bring these all the way over here and not share a cup of milk and a cookie with you for your troubles."

Aaron was flabbergasted as Luke slowly walked in, "Kids huh." he chuckled nervously and took off his ball cap.

"Yeah. Uh, why don't you take a seat at the table and I'll...help Sarah with the milk." Aaron walked briskly to the kitchen so not to make Officer Luke suspicious. "What are you doing?" Aaron whispered. "Why'd you invite him in? He was about to leave!"

"Mom," Sarah whispered, "remember what I said about keeping in Ted's good graces? The same goes for everyone else, but double for cops! If anything happens we need as many people on our side as possible. Especially if we need a character witness who better than an officer of the law?"

"..." Aaron was realizing his daughter was a lot more devious than he ever thought before. "Fine, I'll be friendly but that's it." It's just a couple of cookies, not even a meal, it wouldn't be too bad.

When Aaron returned to the dinner he stopped short and grumbled, Officer Luke was sitting in his seat at the head of the table. For some reason, it made him uncomfortable. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, that's just my...husband's seat."

"Oh. I'm sorry, I could move-"

"No, no it's fine. I'm being silly." Aaron sat beside Luke feeling very awkward as he smoothed out a non-existing skirt. "**** of habit from work I guess." He explained upon seeing the curious expression on Luke's face.

Incidentally, when Erin had smoothed out the skirt that wasn't there Luke was treated to a generous view of her cleavage. She may be someone's mother but she definitely took care of herself. "I know what you mean," Officer Luke cleared his throat, "I'm always reaching for my radio when I want to call someone." Aaron laughed politely with Luke.

Soon, Sarah placed a plate of three fudge brownie cookies in front of each of them along with a glass of milk for each person. "So, you found a job?"

"I did, thankfully. I work with Brad as his administrative assistant." Aaron took a bite of what had to be the best cookie he had ever tasted in his life.

"That's great, Brad's a nice guy..." Aaron moaned pleasurably enjoying the delicious cookie. "but not as nice as me." Luke smiled broadly. He hated feeling this way but something primal awoke within him, Erin should be his girl. How could Brad protect her as well as he could? Sure he didn't pull down doctor money but he made a nice living. He could support a family.

"Of course. He has yet to bring me delicious cookies." Aaron smiled as he laid it on thick. Hopefully Luke didn't notice.

"If you want, I could bring more."

"That would be nice." Aaron smiled before realizing he had basically given Luke an open invitation to drop by anytime.